Bridget

I started open water Swimming in the UK at the age of 18. As I lived in Dover I was training with the Channel swimmers who came over from various countries to swim the English Channel.

I completed my own individual English Channel swim in 1985 in the time of 9 hours 58 minutes.

I was chosen to represent Great Britain to compete in many 25k open water swims throughout the world from 1985 until 1992, which was when I emigrated to Perth. One was the 1991 World Swimming Championships here in Perth coming in 11th position.

Now I try and swim 4 times a week with Rockingham Swimming Club.

Most memorable swimming experience?

My most memorable experience was when i was inducted into the Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale in 1985.

I was very honored to be chosen, I cried when I got the phone call!

Do you have a pre-race ritual?

My pre-race ritual is to get there at least two hours before I race, to the annoyance of my family!

Then to think about the course and how i’m going to swim it.

What’s your biggest challenge in open water swimming?

The most challenging thing about open water swimming is getting over being nervous. You would think with all the years and events I have swam I wouldn’t get as nervous as I do. But as i always tell people, “it’s your body getting used to racing”